Damascus, July.3 (SANA)Syria’sMinister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Asaad Hassan al-Shaibaniextended his sincere appreciation toLebanese President Joseph Aoun, Prime MinisterNawaf Salam, Speaker of ParliamentNabih Berri, Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Latif Derian, Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros al-Rahi and the accompanying bishops,Walid Jumblatt, Kataeb Party leader Sami Gemayel, Lebanese Forces Party leader Dr. Samir Geagea, Tripoli Mufti Sheikh Mohammad Tarek Imam and the accompanying delegation, as well as Deputy Prime MinisterTarek Mitrifor their warm welcome and generous hospitality during his visit to Lebanon.

Al-Shaibani also thanked the people of Tripoli for what he described as their warm and enthusiastic reception, saying it demonstrated the deep fraternal ties between the Syrian and Lebanese peoples.

“We are taking a new step inSyrian-Lebanese relationsbased on mutual respect for sovereignty, good neighborliness and constructive cooperation that serves the shared interests of our two peoples,” al-Shaibani said.

He added that Syria and Lebanon are laying the foundations for a new phase of bilateral relations through the signing of an agreement establishing the Syrian-Lebanese Joint Higher Committee, which will serve as a permanent institutional framework for strengthening cooperation and coordination in the political, economic, security, cultural and social fields, as well as transport, energy, water, health and telecommunications.

Al-Shaibani reaffirmed that Syria will remain an active partner in promoting regional stability and sustainable development, adding that direct dialogue with the Lebanese state and practical cooperation on issues of common interest represent the best path toward building a safer and more prosperous future for both countries and the region.

Earlier Today residents of Tripoli, Lebanon, gather at the entrance to the city to welcome Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani.